Northern Caucasus is a recognized leader in longevity - Medvedev

Makhachkala, November 13, 2015. The Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev expressed satisfaction in general, with the demographics in the Northern Caucasus, but considered the infant mortality in the region inadmissibly high.

"The numbers are good, especially those related to demographics: the Northern Caucasus is a recognized leader in longevity. The life expectancy here is greater than in other places across the country" - Medvedev said at the regular session of the Government Commission on the Socio-Economic Development of the North Caucasian Federal District.

The Prime Minister pointed out some problems. According to Medvedev, the infant mortality remains the highest compared to other regions of Russia - one and a half times higher than across the country as a whole."

Medvedev also noted the poor provision with pain medications in the Northern Caucasus. In his view, the effectiveness of local governors need to be assessed in terms of security and public medicine.